Wye Valley Woodturners (Andrew James)I live and work in Monmouth, where I have a small workshop and display area. I took up woodturning several years ago, inspired by a close friend who was a master carpenter in America. Whilst in America for his memorial I was given a bowl blank he had prepared intending to find a turner to finish the bowl when I got home. On returning home I had decided to turn it myself. My woodturning journey began.

Wherever possible I use native Welsh wood and most of it from within the Wye Valley. Wood is naturally beautiful and when turned I believe becomes a tactile piece of art. I favour turning green wood which, when finished and dried, sometimes takes on a different shape. Spalted Wood is another favourite of mine, the colours and patterns within a spalted piece of wood can be fantastic. Some of the commissions I have undertaken have great stories behind the piece of wood or the person they are going to.

My pieces include bowls, goblets, platters, pens, lamp bases and vessels, all finished to a high standard using a variety of finishes. No two pieces the same and where possible signed on their base.

I have had some of my work published in two issues of WOODTURNING magazine.

Through my woodturning I have been able to give a little support to some local charitable groups, including St David’s Foundation, Leonard Cheshire Homes, Village Alive and Monmouth Comprehensive School Rowing Club.